For a lot of people, drinking coffee feels like the right way to ease into a big task or project. But does coffee make you more productive in reality? Or is it just about the routine and ritual of sipping coffee in the workplace?
We’re demystifying the myths about coffee and productivity to show how this comforting beverage really does keep your focus and energy levels up.
How a Cup of Coffee Makes Your Day More Productive
When drinking coffee at work, you may find you can solve problems faster and with greater focus. And it’s not just a placebo effect; caffeinated coffee breaks have been proven to be beneficial for productivity.
Research has shown that coffee consumption actually boosts your brain power by helping promote more efficient neurological pathways. In addition to improving your cognitive functioning, the caffeine in coffee is known to boost productivity in more than a dozen ways. Here are just a few of the ways coffee affects your system when you’re hard at work:
- Supports improved focus
- Promotes better reasoning and decision-making
- Replaces feeling tired with feeling energized
- Reduces mental fatigue
- Shortens reaction time and accuracy
- Improves focus and concentration
- Strengthens short-term memory
If you love bringing coffee to the office, you can rest assured that you’re bringing along a host of brain health benefits, too.
Coffee Productivity Hacks
Understanding how caffeine and productivity work hand in hand can help you plan out your coffee breaks for the best and most sustainable results. With these two tips, you can keep the medium roast flowing while maximizing your work session:
Choose Decaf Later in the Day
Does caffeine make you more productive when you’re essentially running on empty? Not exactly. If you want to stay productive throughout the evening, you’re better off choosing a decaf cup of coffee than a triple-shot.
A major caffeine crash can unfortunately have a negative effect on your productivity. This is especially true as your energy levels taper off at night.
Caffeine tinkers with your adenosine receptors, telling your system that you have more energy left than you actually do. It also releases adrenaline which keeps you feeling pumped up, but this process draws on your energy reserves. Once this wears off and your body starts feeling tired, you’ll find it hard to focus and get lots of work done. So, experts recommend limiting your caffeine intake later in the day.
Enjoy a Midday “Nappuccino”
When you need an energy boost, you might wonder if a coffee or a catnap would be a better choice. As it turns out, combining the two can actually give you even better results!
First, drink a caffeinated coffee beverage, then cozy up for a 20-minute nap. If you want to fuel your day with a so-called “nappuccino,” your best bet is to schedule this between two and four in the afternoon.
Why is this so effective? The quick nap will tell your adenosine receptors that you’re not so tired. Once the caffeine in your coffee kicks in after about 20 minutes, it will have less work to do when telling those same receptors that you’re ready to feel even more energized.
Ready to give it a shot (pun intended)? Find an Ellianos Coffee shop near you to kickstart your day.
One Comment